DETROIT – Bilal Powell got a heavy workload in his first preseason game that revealed just how barren the Jets offensive cupboard really is this season. The veteran running back, who missed the preseason opener with a sore neck, was basically the Jets entire offense in the first half.

In a statistical oddity, Powell actually had more total yards (46) than the Jets had total net yards (43) before intermission. He had 11 touches in the first half. Players not named Christian Hackenberg had a grand total of one touch (rookie running back Elijah McGuire had one carry for 3 yards) in the first half.

Advertisement

None of the projected starting wide receivers or tight ends caught a pass. Hackenberg only targeted them three times.

Offensive coordinator John Morton used Powell early and often with Matt Forte (hamstring) out for a second consecutive week. Powell finished with nine carries for 32 yards (3.6 ypg) and two catches for 14 yards.

"He missed practice for a while," Todd Bowles said. "He had to get his feet wet and get used to his pads."

"He missed practice for a while," Todd Bowles said of Bilal Powell. "He had to get his feet wet and get used to his pads." (Tim Fuller/USA Today Sports)

TODD CHANGES TUNE

Why did Todd Bowles do an about face from his stance earlier this week that Josh McCown would play more reps against the Lions than he did in the preseason opener against the Titans? Bowles said at the time that the veteran "needs work." The coach changed his tune on Saturday night.

"Thursday night, we just decided that he didn't need it," Bowles said after the game. "We wanted to see the other two guys. Josh has played in a million preseason games. At the last minute, we decided to make that decision."

McCown was approached by two reporters just outside the locker room after the game. Although the veteran was amenable to chatting, he said that a media relations official told him: "Don't talk."

PETTY’S SPOT

Bryce Petty went 15-for-24 for 160 yards and led two field goal drives in the second half. He threw an interception in the end zone on a pass intended for Jordan Leggett in the waning seconds of the game. Barring a meltdown in the final two preseason games, Petty has positioned himself for a roster spot.

'D' STRUGGLE BEGIN

Bowles' starting defense allowed 13 points on three drives against the Lions' starters. Matthew Stafford went 8 for 10 for 84 yards and a five-yard touchdown pass to Marvin Jones in the second quarter.

KICKIN' IT AROUND

Ross Martin made a pair of field goals in the fourth quarter (31 and 28 yards) after missing a 56-yarder. Veteran Chandler Catanzaro, who missed a 55-yarder in the preseason opener, didn't attempt a field goal. Martin, who has been more consistent in practice, remains the front runner to win the job.

BUMP & BRUISES

Defensive lineman Anthony Johnson suffered a stinger. Safety Rontez Miles suffered a left eye laceration that required a bandage over it after the game.

Advertisement

FRANKLY NOT GOOD

The Jets are looking for a returner, but Frankie Hammond didn't do himself any favors by muffing a punt in the third quarter. Marcus Murphy coughed up the ball on a kick return early in the second quarter, but was bailed out by a Lions offsides penalty that prompted a re-kick.